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Chronically underfundedschools need Measure T
Re: “Voters should stop Acalanes’ latest tax hike” (Page A6, March 25).
I am disheartened that the decision made by the editorial board to urge voters to reject Acalanes High School District Measure T. The decision seems to have been based on the wording of the measure by county counsel and the timing of the election rather than the financial need of the district and the direct impact the additional needed resources would have on students and teachers.
While your non-endorsement hints at a possible conspiracy to fool voters, the known truth is that our California public schools are underfunded and will cease to exist without continued local support. This is particularly true for AUHSD schools, which receive some of the lowest per-pupil financial support in California — about half as much as nearby Oakland (whose most recent parcel tax your editorial board endorsed). Measure T is a reasonable ask (the first in 15 years) that will ensure ongoing quality student learning and teaching.
Brian RogersOrinda
Motorists deserverelief from bridge trail
Re: “Don’t blame trail for Richmond-San Rafael backup” (Page A6, March 26).
Robert Prinz, a bicycle advocate, claims congestion on the bridge is not caused by bikes.
No, it’s the extra lane reserved for bicycles that seriously increases congestion. It’s not “industry” that objects to this special lane: It’s commuters and other vehicle-bound travelers.
I have noted the number of cyclists using the lane since it was established, and the numbers have always been small, tiny compared to the vehicle travelers affected by the favoritism shown to the cyclists.
The proposal to limit cyclist use of the lane to Fridays and weekends is eminently sensible and more than fair.
David SalmonRichmond
Enforce traffic lawsto decrease fatalities
Re: “Fatalities on Bay Area roads at 20-year high” (Page A1, March 26).
This was a very welcome article. I have lived in Dublin for over 25 years, and it is clear that driving on all Bay Area roads has become a lot more dangerous, especially since 2020: speeding, running red lights, hit-and-runs, ignoring pedestrians in crosswalks, road rage, DUI, etc. Defensive driving can help only so much.
My wife and I witness several truly scary incidents every month. Though no panacea, I’d like to see an immediate ramp-up in the effective enforcement of all dangerous driving laws. Why ever not?
Hugh SpruntDublin
Make PG&E continueto honor solar contracts
When PG&E began rapidly raising rates, many Californians invested in rooftop solar. I did, too, expecting to break even in 12 years. Twenty-year solar contracts are standard in many states.
I was stunned to learn that PG&E, backed by the CPUC and the Newsom administration, wants to break the contract after two years. First, it’s absolutely unfair to me and 2 million other rooftop solar customers. You cannot recover your sunk cost in two years.
Second, rooftop solar is ideal for a sunny state like California. It makes sense and means PG&E could spend less on infrastructure. But PG&E receives guaranteed rates of return on infrastructure investments, which may be why they prefer turning arable land into solar panel fields over encouraging rooftop solar.
Please ask your Assembly member and senator to make PG&E honor our contracts.
Jennifer LilburnSan Leandro
Breach shows cascadeof vital security errors
Re: “Trump downplays breach of security” (Page A1, March 26).
The government admits only that it was a “mistake” that the Atlantic editor was added to the chat. Here are some mistakes they do not admit:
This was an intelligence principals’ meeting. Some attendees are not principals, had no need to know and should not have attended: Stephen Miller, the secretary of Treasury, the FBI director, the Ukraine envoy and probably others.
One of the attendees was texting from Moscow on an unsecure app. This defies common sense.
A SCIF is standard procedure for a principals’ meeting. Communication devices are never allowed.
Signal is neither approved for sensitive discussions nor is it secure.
The use of emojis is so middle school and certainly not allowed.
This was a “Trump bros” chest-thumping exercise and a shameful national embarrassment.
Steven JamesWalnut Creek
U.S. must fund labtracking child abductions
Thank you for highlighting important Ukrainian events in the Bay Area. People are rallying because Russia is committing egregious war crimes. One of these war crimes is the abduction of Ukrainian children.
I am deeply concerned about the U.S. State Department’s decision to stop funding the Yale Humanitarian Research Lab (HRL). This agency tracks the abduction of Ukrainian children. Over 19,000 children have been taken from their families in Ukraine, held in Russia, subjected to propaganda, and teenage boys are forced to join the Russian army.
The United States must not forget these children during ceasefire talks. If HRL gets dismantled on March 28, critical data on these children’s locations may be lost. I can’t imagine what some children from Kherson, my hometown, have gone through: occupation, air raids, drones, power and water blackouts, flood and abduction. Russia’s crimes against humanity must be documented and submitted to the International Criminal Court.
Iryna KucherovaFremont